Season 2, Episode 2, “Grilled” (March 15, 2009)
Category : Breaking Bad cinema
We have here another fabulous episode of Breaking Bad and one of the best in the series so far. There are many things to like about this episode ranging from the bleak and chilling opening of an abandoned car and the shower of bullet casings to the introduction of a interesting character, Tuco’s mute wheelchair-bound uncle played wonderfully by Mark Margolis. This is definitely the most intense episode of the season from start to finish. I was dripping with sweat by the end due to the intense nature of the episode.
This episode, “Grilled” picks up after the excellent cliffhanger from the previous episode where Tuco forces Walt in his car at gunpoint. So Walter and Jesse are kidnapped by Tuco because he believes that they are the source for the DEA because they ended his drug organization. They are taken to the shack in the desert where he hides out and takes care of his sick uncle. Walt and Jesse try to cook up a plan to murder Tuco with the ricin they have. Meanwhile, Skylar and Marie reconcile due to Walt’s missing whereabouts. They, along with Walt Jr, pass out flyers among the streets of Alberquerque on information about Walt. Hank remembers that Jesse was supposed marijuana supplier of Walt’s, so Hank tries to track him down. The episode ends with Hank arriving at Tuco’s shack culminating in a fierce gun battle.
So there are many amusing moments in the episode. The most savory moment was in Tuco’s shack. As Tuco was cooking burritos, going on about possibly his henchman Gonzo was the source, and throwing knives in his countertop, Walt and Jesse were frantically arguing about how to poison Tuco. And of course Walt’s mannerisms are very amusing in the situation. As I said before, Margolis is wonderful, He works his wheelchair bell almost Hitchcock-like. The funny thing is he heard the entire conversation about them poisoning Tuco’s food, and he could do nothing about it.
So this episode is a treat visually and story-wise. The tense and the suspense is palpable. When Hank comes around, it was a close call to almost catching his brother-in-law. But luckily Walt and Jesse were able to jump the fence and escape both Tuco and Hank. And SPOILERS! Tuco is shot to death by Hank. But overall this is one amazing episode.
My Grade: A+
